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Msangi SJ, Mponzi WP, Muyaga LL, Nkya JD, Mwalugelo YA, Msuya HM, Lwetoijera DW, Kaindoa EW. Challenges of proper disposal of old long-lasting insecticidal nets and its alternative uses in rural south-eastern Tanzania. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0279143. [PMID: 38358973 PMCID: PMC10868818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), specifically long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), are the most commonly used, scalable, and cost-effective tools for controlling malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the multiple alternative uses of retired LLINs have been associated with poor disposal practices. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided guidelines and recommendations for the proper management of worn-out LLINs. This study assessed the existing alternative uses and disposal practices of old LLINs. METHODS An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach was used to assess LLINs existing alternative uses, disposal practices, knowledge, and perceptions regarding WHO recommendations on proper disposal of old LLINs among stakeholders in Kilombero and Ulanga districts, south-eastern Tanzania. A survey questionnaire was administered to 384 participants. Furthermore, the study employed focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) to elucidate responses regarding existing disposal practices, associated challenges, and alternative uses of LLINs. The insights derived from both study components were subsequently used for inferential analysis. RESULTS The major challenge influencing the proper disposal of LLINs was limited awareness of how to properly dispose of them. Of the 384 people surveyed, 97.0% were not aware of the WHO recommendations for the proper disposal of old LLINs. All key informants were unaware of the WHO guidelines for proper disposal of old LLINs. The common methods used to dispose of LLINs were burning (30.7%), disposing them into garbage pits (14.8%), and alternative uses (12.2%). Of the 239 respondents with LLINs, 41.0% had alternative use, while 59.0% had no alternative use. The common alternative uses were ropes for tying or covering items (20.9%), garden fencing (7.5%), chicken coops (5.0%), and 7.5% for other minor alternative uses. CONCLUSION Strengthening awareness and education on proper LLIN disposal practices among community members and key stakeholders is essential for enhancing malaria control efforts and preventing environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila J. Msangi
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
- School of Life Sciences and Bio Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Winifrida P. Mponzi
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | - Letus L. Muyaga
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Joel D. Nkya
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | - Yohana A. Mwalugelo
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bondo, Kenya
| | - Hajirani M. Msuya
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | - Dickson W. Lwetoijera
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
- School of Life Sciences and Bio Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel W. Kaindoa
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
- School of Life Sciences and Bio Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand and the Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Kibondo UA, Renju J, Lukole E, Mosha JF, Mosha FW, Manjurano A, Rowland M, Protopopoff N. Factors associated with malaria infection among children after distribution of PBO-pyrethroid synergist-treated nets and indoor residual spraying in north-western Tanzania. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295800. [PMID: 38127909 PMCID: PMC10734997 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After a decade of successful control, malaria is on the rise again. The prevalence of malaria in Tanzania has increased from 7% in 2017 to 8% in 2022 and reached 18% in Kagera region in the North West of Tanzania. Malaria vectors in Muleba district Kagera have high level of pyrethroid resistance. The aim of this paper is to explore factors associated with malaria infection prevalence in children aged 6 months to 14 years in Muleba, where Long Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) combining a pyrethroid insecticide and synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) that counteract resistance in the mosquitoes, was first distributed under trial conditions in 2015. METHODS The trial was a community randomized control in which there were two malaria prevalence cross-sectional household surveys each year (June and December) from 2015 to 2017 in Muleba. In this study we conducted a secondary data analysis of the December surveys only. Multilevel Poisson regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with malaria infection. RESULTS A total of 10,941 children and 4,611 households were included in this study. Overall malaria prevalence was 35.8%, 53.3% and 54.4% in the year 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. Living in an area with standard LLIN as opposed to the novel PBO synergist LLIN, being a male child, above 5 years of age, living in a house with open eaves, living in house without IRS, having head of household with no formal education, lower socioeconomic status and survey year were associated with increased risk of malaria infection. CONCLUSIONS Using PBO LLIN reduced the risk of malaria infection. However, additional measures could further reduce malaria infection in areas of insecticide resistance such as housing improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ummi Abdul Kibondo
- Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU) Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health, and Ecological Sciences, Bagamoyo, Tanzania
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Jenny Renju
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi, Tanzania
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eliud Lukole
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Jacklin F. Mosha
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza Medical Research Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | | | - Alphaxard Manjurano
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza Medical Research Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Mark Rowland
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Tarimo FS, Dillip A, Kosia EM, Lwetoijera DW. Community perception of the autodissemination of pyriproxyfen for controlling malaria vectors in south-eastern Tanzania. Malar J 2023; 22:333. [PMID: 37924148 PMCID: PMC10625276 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04773-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of the autodissemination of pyriproxyfen to control malaria vectors has been demonstrated under semi field environment in Tanzania. However, the information on how best communities should be engaged for its routine and large-scale adoption are lacking. This study assessed the community's level of knowledge, perceptions, acceptability of the autodissemination of pyriproxyfen, and the perceived risks on the safety of pyriproxyfen on the environment. METHODS This was a concurrent mixed methods study, comprised of a community-based survey of 400 household representatives and eight focus group discussions (FGDs). The study was conducted in two villages in Mlimba district in south-eastern Tanzania between June and August 2022. For the quantitative data analysis, descriptive statistics were applied using R software, while inductive approach was used for qualitative data analysis, using NVivo software. RESULTS Knowledge on autodissemination of pyriproxyfen approach was found to be relatively low among both the FGD respondents and surveyed community members (36%, n = 144). Nevertheless, when it was explained to them, the envisioned community support for the autodissemination approach was relatively high (97%, n = 388). One of the major perceived benefits of the autodissemination of pyriproxyfen was the reduction of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes and associated malaria transmission. Environmental impact of pyriproxyfen on non-target organisms and health risk to children were among the major concerns. When provided with information on the safety and its utilization particularly through autodissemination approach, 93.5% (n = 374) of the survey respondents said that they would allow the PPF-contaminated pots to be placed around their homes. Similarly, FGD respondents were receptive towards the autodissemination of pyriproxyfen, but emphasized on the need for raising awareness among community members before related field trials. CONCLUSION This study indicates a low knowledge but high support for scaling up of the autodissemination of pyriproxyfen as a complementary tool for malaria control in rural Tanzania. The Findings of this study suggest that community sensitization activities are required to improve the community's acceptability and trust of the approach before respective field trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felista S Tarimo
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, United Republic of Tanzania.
- School of Life Sciences and Bio Engineering, The Nelson Mandela, African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 4447, Tengeru, Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
| | - Angel Dillip
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, United Republic of Tanzania
- School of Life Sciences and Bio Engineering, The Nelson Mandela, African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 4447, Tengeru, Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania
- Apotheker Health Access Initiative, P. O. Box 70022, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Efraim M Kosia
- School of Life Sciences and Bio Engineering, The Nelson Mandela, African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 4447, Tengeru, Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Dickson W Lwetoijera
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, United Republic of Tanzania.
- School of Life Sciences and Bio Engineering, The Nelson Mandela, African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 4447, Tengeru, Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
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Koenker H, Kumoji EK, Erskine M, Opoku R, Sternberg E, Taylor C. Reported reasons for non-use of insecticide-treated nets in large national household surveys, 2009-2021. Malar J 2023; 22:61. [PMID: 36810015 PMCID: PMC9942310 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04490-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insecticide-treated nets (ITN) are the cornerstone of modern malaria vector control, with nearly 3 billion ITNs delivered to households in endemic areas since 2000. ITN access, i.e. availability within the household, based on the number of ITNs and number of household members, is a pre-requisite for ITN use. Factors determining ITN use are frequently examined in published literature, but to date, large household survey data on reasons given for non-use of nets have not been explored. METHODS A total of 156 DHS, MIS, and MICS surveys conducted between 2003 and 2021 were reviewed for questions on reasons why nets were not used the previous night, identifying twenty-seven surveys. The percent of nets that were reported used the previous night was calculated for the 156 surveys, and frequencies and proportions of reasons for non-use were calculated within the twenty-seven surveys. Results were stratified by household supply of ITNs in three categories (not enough", "enough", and "more than enough") and by residence (urban/rural). RESULTS The proportion of nets used the previous night averaged over 70% between 2003 and 2021, with no discernible change over this period. Reported reasons for why a net goes unused fell largely into three categories-nets that are extra/being saved for future use; the perception that there is little risk of malaria (particularly in dry season); and "other" responses. Net attributes such as colour, size, shape, and texture, and concerns related to chemicals were the least frequent reasons given. Reasons for non-use of nets varied by household net supply, and in some surveys by residence. In Senegal's continuous DHS, the proportion of nets used peaked during high transmission season, and the proportion of nets that went unused due to "no/few mosquitoes" peaked during the dry season. CONCLUSIONS Unused nets were primarily those being saved for later use, or were not used due to perceived low risk of malaria. Classifying reasons for non-use into broader categories facilitates the design of appropriate social and behaviour change interventions to address the major underlying reasons for non-use, where this is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E. Kuor Kumoji
- grid.449467.c0000000122274844Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, USA
| | - Marcy Erskine
- grid.475581.a0000 0004 0411 9738International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robert Opoku
- grid.475581.a0000 0004 0411 9738International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Cameron Taylor
- grid.431760.70000 0001 0940 5336The DHS Program, ICF, Rockville, USA ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681University of Antwerp, Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
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